Recording mechanism



Jan. 5, 1937. E. M. ALLEN RECORDING MECHANISM Filed Sept. 25, 1935 2Sheets-Sheet l -Siam 2.s aim? and time when energized INVENTOR Earl MAllen JZ/Qf' .HLS' ATTORNEY Jan. 5, 1937. E ALLEN 2,066,309

REcoRDfNe MECHANISM Filed Sept. 25, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 55$IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 47E 175% I II 1I1TE}I I 1 V I JULY 7 1935 I I 11200 A.M. 11201 A.M. I I I I l I I II I I I I I I I I7I I I I I I I I I ISI I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I INVENTOR Earl M.Allen. ax M,

HIS ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RECORDINGMECHANISM Application September 25, 1935, Serial No. 42,020

7 Claims.

My invention relates to recording, mechanism, and is particularly welladapted for, but not limited to, mechanism for recording, the progressand speed of trains along a railway, andv for re- 3- cording signaloperations.

One feature of my invention is the use of a normally stationaryrecording mechanism which operates only upon the passage of a train ofwhich a record is to be made. This feature of my 10.;invention, whenutilized with mechanism of the recording tape type permits the tape toremain stationary until a record is to be made and then to be moved at arelatively high speed during the recording so that a clear and legiblerecord is :produced without wasteful use of the tape.

I will describe one form of recording mecha- .nism embodying myinvention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. l is a diagrammatic view illustratingone form of recording mechanism embodying my invention as applied to alayout wherein one track is intersected by another track. Fig. 2 is aview illustrating a portion of tape with the record made thereon by theapparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference characters X and Y designatetwo intersecting railway tracks. The rails l and IA of track X aredivided by means of insulated joints 2 into track -sections 1T, 2T, and3T. Similarly, the rails l and IA of track Y are divided by means ofinsulated joints 2 into track sections 4T, ST, and

ST; The sections IT, 3T, 4T, and ET, I shall term approach sections, andsections 2T and ET I shall term detector sections. The detector sections2T and 5'1" include the intersection Z.

Each track section IT, 2T, 4T, and ET is provided with a track circuitincluding a battery 3 connected across the rails at one end of thesection and with a track relay connected across the rails at the otherend of the section and designated by the reference character R. with thesame prefix as that used in the reference character for the associatedsection. 5- The reference characters is and 3S designate trafli'ccontrolling devices, here shown as signals, for governing trafiic movingover track X, and the reference characters 2S and 4S designate similarsignals for governing traffic moving over 50 track Y.

Signals IS and 28- control contacts 8 and 9, respectively, in such amanner that each contact is closed only when the associated signal is inits stop condition as shown in the drawings.

56 The reference characters IH and 2H designate two signal indicationrelays which are controlled by the contacts 8 and 9, respectively, eachof the relays being energized only when the associated contact isclosed.

The reference character Q designates a control relay governed by relayslTR, 2TB, 4TB, 5TB, IH, and 2H,.

Associated with the. relay Q is a repeating relay designated, by thereference character P and having a slow pickup characteristic.

In. order to obtain a record of train movements on the tracks X and Yand of the operation of signals is and 28, I provide a tape 30, whichmay be of paper or other suitable material, and which passes over drums.3!, 3[. This tape is unwound 15 L,

The tape 30 is preferably provided with time 20 divisions 35corresponding to the rate at which the tape is moved by the motor M.

In order to secure a record of the progress of trains through each.block IT, 2T, AT, and ST,

and of the position of, signals IS and 28, I pro- 25.

vide each section and each signal with a recording device designated bythe reference character E with the same prefix as that used in thereference character for the relay associated with such section orsignal. As here shown, each re- 30 cording device comprises a magnet 36,and a pivotally mounted member 31 biased by any suitable means such, forexample, as by a spring 38 to a position away from the magnet. Rigidlyattached to the member 31 is a stylus 39, which 35 may, for example, bea pencil, which pencil is adapted to trace a. record on tape30. Themagnet 36 and member 31 are so disposed that the pencil 39 is movedtransversely across the tape 30 towards the magnet when the magnet isenergized and away from the magnet to a normal position, as shown in thedrawings, when the magnet is deenergized. Each magnet 36 is providedwith a circuit whichv includes a back contact 24, 25, 26, 21, 28, or 29of the associated R or H relay.

The pencils 39 are preferably so located that the records made therebyon the tape at any given instant are directly opposite each other.

The reference character J designates a time 50, controlled printingdevice which when energized stamps the date and time on the tape 30. Thedevice J is preferably so located that the stampping of the tape will besubstantially in line with the pencils 39. A number of such date andtime 55.

-then supplied to motor M (by virtue of a circuit tion IT so that trackrelay ITR becomes released. I

When relay ITR is released, magnet 36 of recording device ITE willbecome energized by the closing of back contact 24'of'relay ITR, and

relay Q will be released by the opening of a circuit which passes fromterminal B of a suitable source of energy through front contacts I2, I3,

and 2TB, respectively, and relay Q to terminal C of the same source ofcurrent.

energize slow pickup relay P, and will also energize the device Jthrough the back point of contact 22 of relay P so that the date andtime will bestamped on tape 3Il. When relay P becomes picked up so thatenergy is transferred from the back point to the front point of contact22, current will be first cut off from device J and will be which passesfrom. terminal B through back con tact 2] of relay Q, front point ofcontact 22 of relay P and motor M to terminal C) so that motor M willdrive drum 33. The movement of drum 33 will'cause the movement of tape30 so that the pencils 39 will draw a record thereon. All pencils willdraw straight lines intheir normal paths except the pencil of recordingdevice ITE which pencil will draw a line parallel to but to one side ofits normal path because its magnet 36 is energized,

It should be noted that the slow pickup characteristic of relay Pinsures that device J will have ample time to stamp the tape 30 beforethe movement of the tape is initiated by motor M.

Although for the sake of simplicity I have not shown in the drawings thecontrol circuits for the signals, such signals usually will be socontrolled as to normally indicate stop, and to change to proceed whenthe track relay for the associated approach section is releasedprovided, of course, that traific conditions in the vicinity of theintersection Z are such as to make such proceed indi- I cation. safe fora train accepting the indication.

Therefore, when a train enters section IT, so that relay I'I'R becomesdeenergized, signal IS will change to proceed and will open contact 8 sothat indication relay I H will become released. When relay IH isreleased, magnet 36 of recording device IHE will become energized sothat its pencil 39 will draw an ofiset line to one side of its normalpath.

The tape at this time will show that section IT is occupied, that signalIS is indicating proceed and the date and time at which the trainentered section IT. c

When the train enters section 2T so that relay 2TB. becomes released,magnet 36 of recording device 2TE will become energized so that itspencil will draw an offset line on the tape, The tape now indicates thatthe train has just entered section 2T.

When signal IS returns to its stop condition,

. relay IH will again be energized by the closing of contact 8. Whenrelay IH is energized, magnet its normal position.

When relay Q is released, the closing of its back contact 2| will 36 ofrecording device will become deenergized so that pencil 39 of recordingdevice IHE will again draw a line on the tape in its normal path. Thetape now indicates that the train is bridging sections IT and 2T, thatall other sections are unoccupied and that all signals are displayingtheir normal stop indication.

When the train departs from section IT so that relay I TR becomesenergized, magnet 36 of recording device ITE will be deenergized tocause pencil 39 of recording device ITE to move back to The tape nowindicates that all sections except section 2T are unoccupied, and thatall signals aredisplaying the stop indication.

When the train leavessection 2T, relay 2TB. will become energized, sothat magnet 2TE will become deenergized and relay Q will becomeenergized. ,When magnet ZTE is deenergized pencil 39 of magnet 2TE willmove back to its normal position. When relay Qis energized, current willbe cut off from motor M and relay P will become deenergized. Thus themovement of tape 30 will cease and the tape at this time will indicatethat all apparatus is again in its normal condition ready for the nexttrain movement.

Although I have herein described but a few of the operations of theapparatus embodying my invention, it will be readily apparent as to howthe apparatus will function for any possible train movement.

Although, for the sake of simplicity, I have not shown the signals 38and 4S and track sections 3T and GT as being provided with recordingdevices, it will be understood that these signals and track sectionsusually will also be so equipped.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the portion of the tape 30 here shown bears arecord which may be explained as follows: at 11 a. m. of July 7, 1935,section IT became occupied by a train, and at approximately two secondsafter 11 a. m., signal IS was caused to indicate proceed. The tapefurther discloses that at approximately 11:01 a. m., the train enteredsection 2T and at approximately two seconds after 11:01 a. m., signal ISwas caused to again assume its stop condition. At approximately twentyseconds after 11:01 a. m., the train departed from section IT and atapproximately forty seconds after 11:01 a. m., the train departed fromsection 2T. The tape, therefore, discloses a full and complete record ofthe movement of this train and of the observance of the signal by theengineman. It Is apparent that the speed of the trainthrough each blockcan be very readily determined from the tape if desired.

In the event of a collision at the intersection Z, the responsibilityfor such collision can very readily be determined from the tape sincethe time of arrival of each train in the approach and detector sectionswill be recorded together with the indications displayed by the signalsgoverning the colliding trains.

It will be seen from the foregoing description of the operation of theapparatus embodying my invention that, since the record tape moves onlywhen required to record the movements of a. passing train, the speed ofthe tape may be relatively fast so as to produce a clear and legiblerecord without resulting in excessive-use of tape.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatusembodying my invention,-it is understood that various changes and scopeof the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of myinvention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a section of railway track provided with a trackrelay, a record tape, means controlled by said track relay for recordingthe conditionof such relay on said tape, mechanism efiective whenenergized to move said tape at a predetermined speed, a device efiectivewhen energized to record the date and time on said tape, a slow pickuprelay normally occupying a released condition, means for energizing saidslow pickup relay when said track relay is released, means forenergizing said device when both said slow pickup relay and said trackrelay are released, and means for energizing said mechanism as long assaid slow pickup relay is picked up provided said track relay isreleased.

2. In combination, a section of railway track provided with a trackrelay, a record tape, a stylus arranged to trace a record on said tape,a magnet for controlling said stylus, means including a back contact ofsaid track relay for controlling said magnet, mechanism efiective whenenergized to move said tape at a predetermined speed, a device eifectivewhen energized to record the date and time on said tape, a slow actingrelay normally occupying an initial condition but capable of assuming anoperated condition, means for causing said slow acting relay to assumeit operated condition when said track relay is released, means forenergizing said device when said slow acting relay is in its initialcondition provided said track relay is released, and means forenergizing said mechanism as long as said track relay is releasedprovided said slow acting relay is in its operated condition.

3. In combination, a section of railway track, an indicating relay whichbecomes released when said section is occupied, a record tape, meanscontrolled by said indicating relay for tracing a record on said tape tocorrespond with the condition of such relay, mechanism effective whenenergized to move said tape at a predetermined speed, a device eiiectivewhen energized to record the date and time on said tape, a slow pickuprelay normally occupying a released condition, means for energizing saidslow pickup relay when said indicating relay is released, means formomentarily energizing said device when both said slow pickup relay andsaid indicating relay are released, and means for energizing saidmachanism as long as said low pickup relay is picked up provided saidindicating relay is released.

4. In combination, a section of railway track, a signal for said sectionhaving an initial condition, an indicating relay which is picked up aslong as said signal occupies its initial condition, a record tape, meanscontrolled by said relay for tracing a record on said tape to correspondwith the condition of said relay, mechanism eifective when energized tomove said tape, a device effective when energized to record the date andtime on said tape, a slow pickup relay normally occupying a releasedcondition, means for energizing said slow pickup relay when saidindicating relay is released, means for energizing said device when bothsaid indicati relay and said slow pickup relay are released, and meansfor energizing said mechanism as long as said indicating relay isreleased provided said slow pickup relay is picked up.

5. In combination, a section of railway track, a normally energizedindicating relay which becomes released when said section is occupied, arecord tape, means for tracing on said tape a record to correspond totrafilc conditions in said section, mechanism effective when energizedto move said tape at a predetermined speed, a device effective whenenergized to record the date and time on said tape, a slow pickup relaynormally occupying a released condition, means including a back contactof said indicating relay for energizing said slow pickup relay, acircuit for said device including said back contact of said indicatingrelay and a back contact of said slow pickup relay, and a circuit forsaid mechanism including said back contact of the indicating relay and afront contact of said slow pickup relay.

6. In combination, a section of railway track including a track relay, asignal for said section having an initial condition, an indicating relaywhich is picked up as long as said signal remains in its initialcondition, a record tape, means for recording correlatively on said tapethe con-dition of said track relay and the condition of said indicatingrelay, mechanism effective when energized for moving said tape at apredetermined speed, a device efiective when energized to record thedate and time on said tape, an auxiliary relay which becomes releasedwhenever either the track relay or the indicating relay is released, aslow pickup relay normally occupying a released condition, means forenergizing said slow pickup relay when said auxiliary relay is released,means for energizing said device when both said auxiliary relay and saidslow pickup relay are released, and means for energizing said mechanismwhen said slow pickup relay is picked up provided said auxiliary relayis released.

'7. In combination, a plurality of sections of railway track eachincluding a track relay, a record tape, means for recordingcorrelatively on said tape the condition of each track relay, mechanismeffective when energized to move said tape at a predetermined speed, adevice efiective when energized to record the date and time on saidtape, an auxiliary relay which becomes released whenever any of saidtrack relays are released, a slow acting relay normally occupying aninitial condition but operable to another condition when energized,means for energizing said slow acting relay when said auxiliary relay isreleased, means for energizing said device when said auxiliary relay isreleased provided said slow acting relay is in its initial condition,and means for energizing said mechanism when said auxiliary relay isreleased provided said slow acting relay is in its other condition.

EARL M. ALLEN.

